Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has renamed the Kano State Sports Institute and Kano Sports Commission after the 22 athletes who died in a tragic accident on their way back from a national competition in May this year.

According to the Hausa service of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report on Sunday, Governor Abba announced the renaming at a ceremony at the Government House, Kano.

He said that the Kano State Sports Institute would henceforth be known as the Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Institute in memory of the deceased athletes.
Similarly, the sports commission was also renamed Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Commission.

“These athletes brought pride to Kano, and it is fitting that we remember them forever. We won’t forget their sacrifices for the state,” the governor said.

The Guardian recalls that the fatal accident occurred on the Kano-Zaria expressway. The victims, mostly young people, died in the crash, which aroused emotions and sympathy in the state and country.